MY MEDALLION
With the warm weather in full swing again, it’s the perfect time to get your friends or family together for a summer picnic in downtown Toronto. The city offers a wide assortment of green spaces and parks for your enjoyment and picnicking needs, and you don’t have to travel far outside of the city’s downtown area to get to some great ones! With their central location in the heart of the city, these picnicking locations will be easy to get to and offer the best of Toronto’s downtown.
1. Allan Gardens — 19 Horticultural Ave.
Tucked away from the noise and congestion of Yonge St., right near bustling Jarvis St and the Church-Wellesley area, Allan Gardens has a surprisingly serene nature to it with an assortment of green space to sprawl out some blankets. A perfect, cozy spot for some picnicking that’s convenient for anyone to get to using the TTC. After your picnic you can go to the Allan Gardens Conservatory, a beautiful building where you can see exotic plants and flowers for free.
2. Queen’s Park — 110 Wellesley St. West
While many of us will associate Queen’s Park with the Ontario Legislative Building, it’s actually the name of a great park right in the core of Downtown Toronto, and a great spot for a picnic lunch after a busy day in the city. Filled with historical statues and features, and right near the beautiful campus of the University of Toronto, Queen’s Park offers plenty of things to do, as well as some amazing greenspace for picnics.
3. Riverdale Park East — 550 Broadview Ave.
To the East of Toronto’s downtown sits the Riverdale Park East, a familiar site for anyone who takes the Don Valley Parkway to get to work. The park features a huge, sloping hill that gives a spectacular view of Toronto’s skyline. It’s the perfect space for those looking to get the Toronto landscape as the backdrop to a picnic outside. And if you’re someone who likes hiking, there’s some nature trails in the northern part of the park that can offer just the right amount of adventure without straying too far from Broadview subway station.
4. Coronation Park — 711 Lake Shore Blvd. W
Any picnicking list in Toronto wouldn’t be complete without the lakefront park Coronation Park. Find some shade under the beautiful oak trees, all honouring Canadian War Veterans, while you look out over Lake Ontario. There’s even an old Royal Maple in honour of King George VI’s coronation in the southwest part of the park (hence the name Coronation.) A great view of Lake Ontario awaits you as you picnic in the shade, but there’s also a chance for some biking or jogging along Martin Goodman trail if you’re feeling more active!
5. Trinity Bellwoods Park — 790 Queen St. West
Trinity Bellwoods Park is located in the hip and happening Queen St. West, a highlight of the best the city has to offer in fashion and eclecticism vibe. With a dedicated picnic area, an off leash dog park (who says dogs can’t enjoy picnicking too?) and a Discovery Walk along the Garrison Creek, there’s plenty to keep yourself and your friends entertained. Plus, the quaint black iron lamps and the beautiful, ornate gate bring some real charm to the location.
July is here and with that comes the hot and sunny days of Summer to Toronto. Getting out with some friends or family to picnic in the city doesn’t have to mean taking a long bus ride out of the main parts of the city: there are plenty of great places for a Summer picnic in downtown Toronto to choose from. Whether it’s Coronation Park with its view of Lake Ontario, or the free conservatory at Allan Gardens Park, there’s plenty for everyone to see and a park that can match anyone’s tastes. For more great suggestions on places to picnic in Toronto, visit the Medallion Blog.
